REYA Communications Named Boutique Agency of the Year at 2026 PRNEWS Platinum Awards

Luxury travel PR agency recognized for its founder-led approach, commitment to independent hospitality brands, and innovative integration of digital relations

NEW YORK CITY, NY, UNITED STATES, October 19, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- REYA Communications, a boutique luxury travel public relations agency based in New York and Lima, Peru, has been named Boutique Agency of the Year at the 2026 PRNEWS Platinum Awards. Presented on October 6 in New York City, the award recognizes excellence in public relations and communications, celebrating agencies demonstrating creativity, innovation, and strategic impact.

Founded by luxury travel PR veterans Alexandra Avila and Julie Leventhal, REYA Communications specializes in representing independent and family-owned luxury hotels, resorts, safari operators, private villas, and experiential travel companies worldwide, with a particular focus on brands committed to conservation, sustainability, and social impact.

Boutique by Design

Unlike traditional agency models, where founders often transition into executive management as their businesses grow, REYA has deliberately remained boutique to ensure its founders continue leading client strategy and account management. Through digital efficiencies and a carefully curated client portfolio, the agency combines personalized, senior-level service with international media expertise and sophisticated public relations capabilities.

"We've always thought of REYA as a dining table with a limited number of seats," said Alexandra Avila, Co-Founder of REYA Communications. "Every client we invite to join us deserves our time, attention, and a meaningful relationship. Julie and I didn't start REYA to eventually become removed from the work we love. We wanted to remain at the table, working directly with the founders and owners who entrust us with their businesses. Winning Boutique Agency of the Year validates that you don't have to be the biggest agency to make a significant impact."

The success of REYA's founder-led model is reflected in its organic growth through client and industry referrals. Recent additions to its portfolio include Kananaskis Mountain Lodge in Canada, which joined following the agency's work with sister property Alyeska Resort in Alaska, as well as African Bush Camps, ÀNI Private Resorts, and Destinations in Paradise.

Championing Independent Luxury Travel Brands

REYA's international portfolio spans the Americas, Africa, Europe, and Asia. Clients include Sonnenalp Hotel, Alyeska Resort, and Kananaskis Mountain Lodge in North America; African Bush Camps, Volcanoes Safaris, Cheetah Plains, and Go2Africa in Africa; Delfin Amazon Cruises in Peru; Casa di Langa in Italy; Cashel Palace in Ireland; Gangtey Lodge in Bhutan; and ÀNI Private Resorts, with properties across the Caribbean and Asia.

The agency places particular emphasis on representing locally owned hospitality businesses and entrepreneurs whose long-term investment in their destinations supports local employment, conservation, and community development. Among the inspiring leaders REYA champions are Sheila Kyarisiima of The Pinnacle Kigali, Beks Ndlovu of African Bush Camps, Praveen Moman of Volcanoes Safaris, and Lissy Urteaga of Delfin Amazon Cruises.

"Independent hospitality brands are often the ones taking the greatest personal risks to create something extraordinary," said Julie Leventhal, Co-Founder of REYA Communications. "They're investing their own resources, building relationships with local communities, and thinking about how their businesses will contribute to a destination decades from now. Yet they're competing for international attention against some of the world's largest hospitality companies. We see our role as giving these independent brands a stronger voice and helping their stories reach the audiences they deserve."

Boutique Scale, Global Impact

Despite its selective portfolio, REYA has delivered high-profile international campaigns and industry recognition for independent luxury travel brands.
Recent achievements include launching The Pinnacle Kigali, a Black female-owned luxury hotel in Rwanda, securing recognition in TIME's World's Greatest Places, Travel + Leisure's It List, Robb Report's Best of the Best, and AFAR's Top New Hotels of 2026. Other achievements include helping Cashel Palace earn Condé Nast Traveler's Triple Crown distinction through recognition on its Hot List, Gold List, and Readers' Choice Awards, and securing Delfin Amazon Cruises recognition on Condé Nast Traveler's Bright Ideas and Women's Power lists, highlighting the company's sustainability initiatives and female leadership.

REYA's commitment to responsible tourism extends beyond its client portfolio. The agency offers reduced retainers to select conservation-focused brands and helps amplify organizations including the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, Jane Goodall Institute, and Gorilla Doctors through its client campaigns and additional public relations support.

A Digital-First Approach to Luxury Travel PR

Since its founding, REYA has integrated digital marketing intelligence into traditional public relations, combining strategic media relations with search engine optimization (SEO), website analytics, and digital PR to strengthen clients' long-term visibility.

As AI-powered search transforms how travelers discover and evaluate hospitality brands, REYA is extending its strategies to Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and visibility across large language models (LLMs), helping independent luxury travel businesses compete with international hospitality groups.
"Independent hotels may never match the advertising budgets of global hotel chains, but they can compete through credible storytelling, authoritative editorial coverage, and a strong digital presence," shares Alexandra Avila, Co-Founder of REYA Communications. "We've always believed PR should work harder than simply generating headlines. It should contribute to a brand's long-term visibility and business success."

The 2026 PRNEWS Platinum Award recognition reinforces REYA Communications' belief that specialization, innovation, and meaningful client partnerships can deliver global impact regardless of agency size. For more information: www.reyacommunications.com.

About REYA Communications:
REYA Communications is an award-winning boutique public relations agency specializing in luxury travel and hospitality. Founded by Alexandra Avila and Julie Leventhal, the agency represents independent and family-owned hotels, private villas, experiential travel companies, and conservation-focused tourism brands worldwide. Combining senior-led strategic communications, earned media relations, digital PR, and search visibility expertise, REYA helps distinctive travel brands build awareness, strengthen their reputations, and connect with relevant audiences.

Julie Leventhal
REYA Communications
julie@reyacommunications.com